Systems and methods for empowering IP practitioners

ABSTRACT

A browser application has at least two web browser objects for browsing Private PAIR while hiding multi-page navigation from a user. The browser application is configured to automatically download XML data from Private PAIR, and generate one or more reports therefrom, including a Daily Updates report, a Cross Checker report, and a Docket Listing report. The browser application is preferably configured to selectively provide limited access to Private PAIR by restricting user navigation to programmatic navigation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of,and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/246,083, filed Sep. 25, 2009, which provisionalpatent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Thepresent application also hereby incorporates herein by referenceAppendix A, attached hereto.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document, including the computerprogram listing, is subject to copyright protection under the copyrightlaws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner hasno objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or the patent disclosure, as it appears in officialgovernmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rightswhatsoever are reserved.

COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Submitted concurrently herewith via the USPTO's electronic filingsystem, and incorporated herein by reference, are computer program filesincluding instructions, routines, and/or other contents of severalcomputer program. A table setting forth the name and size of each fileincluded in the computer program listing is included below.

File Name Creation Date Size in Bytes Description readme.txt9/27/2010-3:34 PM 2,873 Instructions ascify.txt 9/27/2010-3:50 PM 37,473assembly source code access0.txt 9/27/2010-1:34 PM 7,570,823 PAIR AccessBase Folder access1.txt 9/27/2010-1:35 PM 19,667,506 PAIR AccessSubfolder(s) access2.txt 9/27/2010-1:35 PM 18,626,773 PAIR AccessSubfolder(s) access3.txt 9/27/2010-1:35 PM 22,779,941 PAIR AccessSubfolder(s) access4.txt 9/27/2010-1:36 PM 23,838,300 PAIR AccessSubfolder(s) inine0.txt 9/27/2010-1:53 PM 22,623,687 Insight 2k9 BaseFolder inine1.txt 9/27/2010-1:54 PM 8,006,867 Insight 2k9 Subfolder(s)

A first of these files, “readme.txt”, contains instructions forutilizing a second of the files “ascify.txt” to extract information fromthe remaining files. These remaining files are compressed binary filesthat have been converted to ascii format. These files can be convertedback to binary format utilizing a assembly conversion program sourcecode for which is contained in “ascify.txt”. The readme file includesinstructions for compiling and running this conversion program, as wellas instructions for converting the other text files to compressed,binary files. The compressed, binary files include source code writtenin C Sharp that can be compiled utilizing Microsoft Visual Studio 2008.The target environment for this implementation is 32-bit Windows XP,Vista, or 7.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to software for facilitatingaccess to U.S. patent data. A need exists for improvement in patent databrowsing and display. This, and other needs, are addressed by one ormore aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of Private PAIR browsing, the present invention is not limitedto use only in Private PAIR browsing, as will become apparent from thefollowing summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, andone or more embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a method forproviding access to Private PAIR to a user. The method includes steps ofdisplaying, via a monitor, a graphical user interface element promptinga user to identify, via one or more peripheral devices, a location of asecurity certificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; displaying,via a monitor, a graphical user interface element prompting a user toinput, via one or more peripheral devices, a password associated withthe security certificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; storing,in a computer readable medium at a computing device under control of theuser, the location of the security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR, an identification of the location having been input by auser via one or more peripheral devices; storing, in a computer readablemedium at a computing device under control of the user, the passwordassociated with the security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR, the password having been input by a user via one or moreperipheral devices; upon launching of an application, effectingnavigation to a login page for Private PAIR; automatically effectinglogin to Private PAIR, said automatically effecting login includinginputting, via the login page, the location of the security certificateand the password associated with the security certificate; anddisplaying, to a user via a monitor, a Private PAIR page.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes receiving, froma user via a program user interface, a navigation request; and effectingnavigation to fulfill the navigation request.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes the step ofdisplaying, via a monitor, a graphical user interface element promptinga user to acknowledge, via one or more peripheral devices, exportcontrol regulations.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes, prior to saidsteps of storing the location and password, a step of confirming thatthe export control regulations were acknowledged.

In a feature of this aspect, the security certificate is a PKIcertificate.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer readablemedium containing computer executable instructions for carrying out amethod in accordance with the first aspect.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method. The methodincludes displaying, to a user via a monitor, a first web page via afirst browser; receiving, from the user via a program user interface, anavigation request; effecting navigation, based on the received usernavigation request, utilizing a second browser, the second browser notbeing visible to the user; determining that navigation based on thereceived user navigation request is completed; and displaying, to theuser via the monitor, web content via the second browser, wherein, uponsuch displaying, the first browser is no longer visible to the user.

In a feature of this aspect, the first web page is a first Private PAIRweb page, and wherein the received navigation request is a request tonavigate to a second Private PAIR web page. In accordance with thisfeature, in at least some implementations, the received navigationrequest includes an application number input by the user via the programuser interface, and wherein the second Private PAIR web page includesdata associated with that application number, and further comprising astep of determining that a text string input by the user is anapplication number. Further, in accordance with this feature, in asub-feature, in at least some implementations, the received navigationrequest includes an attorney docket number input by the user via theprogram user interface, and wherein the second Private PAIR web pageincludes data associated with that attorney docket number, and furthercomprising a step of determining that a text string input by the user isan attorney docket number. Still further, in accordance with thissub-feature, in at least some implementations, the step of determiningthat a text string input by the user is an attorney docket numberincludes a step of determining that the text string begins with aparticular character. Still yet further, in accordance with thisfeature, in at least some implementations, the received navigationrequest includes an indication of a Private PAIR tab selected by theuser via the program user interface, and wherein the second Private PAIRweb page displays that tab. And even still further, in accordance withthis feature, in at least some implementations, the method furtherincludes, after a user attempts to navigate Private PAIR via clicking ona link or button on a Private PAIR web page displayed via the firstbrowser, a step of canceling navigation of the first browser to preventthe user from navigating utilizing such link or button.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes receiving, fromthe user via the program user interface, a second navigation request;effecting navigation, based on the received second user navigationrequest, utilizing the first browser, the first browser not beingvisible to the user; determining that navigation based on the receiveduser navigation request is completed; and displaying, to the user viathe monitor, web content via the second browser.

Another aspect relates to a computer readable medium containing computerexecutable instructions for carrying out a method in accordance with thethird aspect.

A fifth aspect relates to a method. The method includes, upon launchingof an application, effecting navigation via a first browser to a loginpage for Private PAIR; automatically effecting login to Private PAIR,said automatically effecting login including inputting, via the loginpage, a location of the security certificate and a password associatedwith the security certificate; displaying, to a user via a monitor, aPrivate PAIR page via a first browser; effecting navigation, via asecond browser that is not visible to the user, to a Private PAIRdownload page; and automatically downloading, via the Private PAIR datadownload page, data associated with the security certificate.

In a feature of this aspect, the data associated with the securitycertificate is data associated with customer numbers associated with thesecurity certificate.

In a feature of this aspect, the data associated with the securitycertificate is XML data.

In a feature of this aspect, the method further includes steps ofgenerating one or more reports based on automatically downloaded dataand displaying one of the one or more reports to a user via a monitor.

Another aspect relates to a computer readable medium containing computerexecutable instructions for carrying out a method in accordance with thefifth aspect.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereinthe same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, andwherein,

FIG. 1 represents an exemplary process flow illustrating the use ofmultiple web browser controls for Private PAIR navigation; and

FIG. 2 represents an exemplary process flow illustrating the use of athird web browser control for the automatic downloading of Private PAIRdata.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate onlyone or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention andmay further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosedfeatures. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element isintended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unlessthe explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in suchclaim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to applyin the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

A browser application for use with Private PAIR in accordance with oneor more preferred aspects of the present invention enables a user to login to Private PAIR via a login form. The login form includes severalcheckboxes representing configuration options described more fullyhereinbelow. The login screen also includes digital certificate andpassword input boxes, as well as an import control checkbox. Clicking inthe digital certificate input box enables the user to browse and selectsuch digital certificate via a standard windows browse window. In orderto login, a user selects a digital certificate, enters the passwordassociated with that digital certificate, acknowledges displayed importcontrol considerations by checking the appropriate checkbox, and hits alogin button to initiate login.

The browser application then effects navigation of a first web browsercontrol to a website address corresponding to Private PAIR, specificallyPrivatePAIR_url, which redirects the first web browser control to anauthentication page. Once the authentication page is fully loaded, theapplication automatically populates certificate and password fields ofthe authentication page, and passes the user's acknowledgement of theimport control considerations into the page by checking the appropriatecheckbox. The application then effects login, either by clicking theappropriate button, or making an appropriate JavaScript call. In apreferred implementation, the above described process is effected bynavigating the web browser control to “javascript: command1; command2;command3;” where command1, command2, and command3 are representative ofa series of JavaScript commands which accomplish such task.Additionally, or alternatively, the above described process is effectedby obtaining a reference to html elements of a collection of htmlelements and then appropriately manipulating same. It will beappreciated that the series of JavaScript commands may accomplish thisas well.

In a preferred implementation, the browser application includes a textbox for entry of an application number, patent number, publicationnumber, or docket number, as well as a drop down menu with menu choicescorresponding to Private PAIR tabs. The browser application allows auser to input a number into the text box, and select one of the dropdown menu choices to effect navigation to a desired tab.

Upon entry by a user of a number, the program determines what type ofnumber was entered by determining whether it corresponds to a set formatfor each type of number. In a preferred implementation, a seven digitnumber is presumed to be a patent number, an eight digit number or anumber with a “/” in its third digit is presumed to be an applicationnumber, etc. In at least some preferred implementations, a matter numbermay be indicated by utilizing a control character either before or afterthe entry. For example, “.1000”, “m1000”, or “/m1000” might correspondto entry of matter number 1000. Alternatively (or additionally), a radiobutton or other user interface element might allow a user to select whattype of number has been entered.

Following entry of a number and selection of a drop down menu itemcorresponding to a Private PAIR tab, the browser application clears theinput text box, navigates a second web browser control to Private PAIR,automatically inputs the input number, selects the appropriate radiobutton on the Private PAIR page to indicate what type of number it is(if necessary), submits that page, and then, if necessary, navigates tothe appropriate Private PAIR tab via a JavaScript call.

During such navigation, the first web browser control remains visible ontop. Once the second web browser control completes navigation to thedesired Private PAIR tab for the desired application, the second webbrowser control is moved to the top so that it is visible to the user.An exemplary process flow in accordance with this process is illustratedin FIG. 1.

If the user then wishes to navigate to another tab of the sameapplication, the user can select the menu item corresponding to that tabin the drop down menu, and navigation will be effected in the displayedweb browser control to that tab. If the user wishes to navigate toanother tab of a different application and inputs an application numberinto the input text box and selects a drop down menu item correspondingto a Private PAIR tab, navigation is effected in the first web browsercontrol (which is now not visible to the user because the second webbrowser control is on top) to the selected tab of the selectedapplication according to the process described above, and, uponcompletion of such navigation, the first web browser control is onceagain brought to the front so that it is visible by the user. Such afront and back web browser control methodology allows for multi-pagenavigation without having to present every page to the user. Preferably,each web browser control has a visible property set to true, but issimply not visible to a user because another web browser control is ontop of it.

In one or more preferred implementations, limited access to Private PAIRis provided. In a preferred implementation, a flag is used to determinewhether or not full access to Private PAIR is available at any giventime. In some preferred implementations, this flag is set or not basedon a user's choice, and access can be switched from limited to full viathe entry of a password. This password may be the password associatedwith a user's PKI certificate, or may be a different password.

When only limited access is provided, navigation via webpage buttons andlinks in Private PAIR is programmatically prevented, for example bycanceling navigation when the limited access flag is set unlessnavigation is itself effected programmatically.

In a preferred implementation, this is accomplished via use of two webbrowser controls as described hereinabove. Specifically, navigation of afront web browser control that is visible to a user is prevented, whilea user's navigation request entered via a program user interface willeffect navigation of a back web browser control, which is then broughtto the front when navigation is complete. Once this web browser controlis brought to the front, further navigation in this web browser controlwould be blocked, and to effect further navigation the user would needto once again utilize the program's user interface.

This allows for the provision of limited access to Private PAIR, forexample allowing an individual to access Private PAIR via a PKIcertificate while still ensuring no changes will be made to any dataassociated with this certificate.

In at least some preferred implementations, however, a user is stillable to programmatically navigate to other tabs of a particularapplication in the same web browser via the program's user interface.For example, in a preferred implementation, this is accomplished bytemporarily allowing a limited navigation option in a front window.Similarly, in at least one preferred implementation, restricted accessand navigation via a program interface might be provided utilizing onlya single web browser control, and simply selectively allowing userinterface effected navigation while disallowing all other navigation.

In at least some preferred implementations, upon logging in for thefirst time, the browser application performs one or more checks todetermine whether or not to download Private PAIR data and generatereports therefrom. Preferably, the browser application checks to seewhether or not data has been downloaded, or reports have been generated,already that day. Additionally, the browser application preferablychecks whether a user has selected that Private PAIR data should bedownloaded, and reports updated (as described hereinbelow) every timethe browser application first logs in to Private PAIR.

In a preferred implementation, upon a successful login to Private PAIR,a third web browser control below the first and second web browsercontrols is navigated to Private PAIR, and automatically downloads oneor more XML files corresponding to each customer number associated witha user's digital certificate. A process flow illustrating this step isprovided in FIG. 2. Navigating and initiating the download is preferablyaccomplished in a manner similar to that described above, e.g.JavaScript, while a custom download manager is preferably implemented toprevent the display of any window asking a user where to save thedownloaded XML files. In a preferred implementation, an extended webbrowser control, such as, for example, the extended web browser controlavailable at http://code.google.com/p/csexwb2, is utilized to accomplishthis.

After the XML files corresponding to each customer number aredownloaded, the application data contained in these XML files iscombined into a single XML file. This XML file is then utilized togenerate a plurality of reports which present the data in a morereadable way. Exemplary such reports are displayed in screenshotsincluded in Appendix A attached hereto.

In a preferred implementation, XSLT transforms are utilized to generateeach HTML report from the combined XML. Additionally, processing may beperformed on the XML data prior to such transforms. For example, anattribute could be added detailing whether or not a particular elementshould be displayed, or whether it should be highlighted in a particularcolor.

Alternatively, a reporting tool, such as, for example, Crystal Reports,could be utilized to organize and display XML data. As yet anotheralternative, the program could generate an HTML page incorporating theXML data without utilizing XSLT transforms. As still yet anotheralternative, windows forms may be utilized to display data.

In preferred implementations, a Daily Updates report, a Daily CrossChecker report, and a Docket Listing report are generated.

The Daily Updates report displays applications for which a transactionor status update occurred the previous day.

The Daily Cross Checker report displays applications for which adeadline or action might be required on the present day. The browserapplication includes one or more algorithms to filter such applicationsby considering the data associated with each application. For example,if an application's status on Sep. 25, 2009 indicates that an OfficeAction was mailed on Jun. 25, 2009, the report displays that an OfficeAction was mailed three months ago and a response may be due if it hasnot already been filed. Notably, if a response had been filed and thestatus of the case was updated by the USPTO to reflect that a responsehad been received, then this application would not be displayed.

The Docket Listing report displays a listing of each patent applicationfor which data was downloaded.

In at least some preferred implementations, one or more reports may begenerated sorted based on any data contained in the downloaded data. Forexample, a Docket Listing report may be sorted by Docket No. and onlydisplay active cases. Or, a cross checker report may only display caseswhich have been published. In a preferred implementation, multiplereports of the same type are generated sorted by different values.

Preferably, the browser application further includes a logout button.This logout button effects navigation of a web browser control to alogout URL of Private PAIR, grabs the source for the loaded logout page,and then finds the href target of a logout link, and navigates the webbrowser control to that link to effect logout of Private PAIR, and thenexits.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing access over the Internetto Private PAIR to a user of a personal computer, comprising: (a)storing authentication information for accessing Private PAIR on thepersonal computer, including: (1) displaying to a user, via a computerdisplay screen of the personal computer, a graphical user interfaceelement prompting the user to identify, via one or more peripheraldevices, a location of a security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR; (2) displaying to the user, via the computer displayscreen of the personal computer, a graphical user interface elementprompting the user to input, via one or more peripheral devices, apassword associated with the security certificate for use in logging into Private PAIR; (3) receiving, via the graphical user interfaceelements, user input representing the location of the securitycertificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR and representing thepassword associated with the security certificate for use in logging into Private PAIR; (4) storing, in a non-transitory computer readablemedium of the personal computer, the user input representing thelocation of the security certificate for use in logging in to PrivatePAIR and representing the password associated with the securitycertificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; and thereafter (b)loading, at the personal computer, a first web browser and a second webbrowser, the second web browser being loaded without being displayed onthe computer display screen of the personal computer; (c) using thestored authentication information, performing authentication foraccessing Private PAIR on the personal computer by, (1) effectingnavigation to a login page for Private PAIR, and (2) automaticallyeffecting login to Private PAIR, said automatically effecting loginincluding inputting, via the login page, the location of the securitycertificate and the password associated with the security certificate,whereby upon a successful authentication a login session to Private PAIRis established; (d) based on a successful authentication in said step(c), navigating Private PAIR pages using the first web browser inconjunction with the second web browser by alternating betweendisplaying, via the computer display screen of the personal computer,the first web browser and the second web browser, including hiding thefirst web browser when the second web browser is displayed, and hidingthe second web browser when the first web browser is displayed, suchthat navigation using a single web browser is simulated on the computerdisplay screen of the personal computer from a user perspective.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising alternating between displaying thefirst web browser and the second web browser when navigating betweenfirst and second Private PAIR pages, which navigation requiresnavigating to an intermediate Private PAIR page in order to reach thesecond Private PAIR page from the first Private PAIR page, such thatnavigation from the first Private PAIR page directly to the secondPrivate PAIR page is simulated from a user perspective.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first web browser comprises a first web browsercontrol, and wherein the second web browser comprises a second webbrowser control different from the first web browser control, andwherein both the first and second web browser controls are containedwithin the same application window.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising loading without displaying on the computer display screen ofthe personal computer a third web browser control within the sameapplication window; downloading data from Private PAIR for generating areport using the third web browser control; and displaying auser-selectable control within at least one of the first web browsercontrol and the second web browser control by which the report isviewable.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving userinput representing a navigation request, the user input identifying apatent application serial number, and navigating to a Private PAIR pagefor the patent application.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the userinput further represents an indication of a user-selected Private PAIRtab, and wherein the Private PAIR page to which navigation is effectedcorresponds to the user-selected Private PAIR tab for the patentapplication.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving userinput representing a navigation request, the user input identifying anattorney docket number, and navigating to a Private PAIR page for apatent application associated in Private PAIR with the attorney docketnumber.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the user input furtherrepresents an indication of a user-selected Private PAIR tab, andwherein the Private PAIR page to which navigation is effectedcorresponds to the user-selected Private PAIR tab for the patentapplication.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving userinput representing a navigation request, the user input identifying apatent number or patent application publication number, and navigatingto a Private PAIR page for a patent application associated in PrivatePAIR with the identified number.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein theuser input further represents an indication of a user-selected PrivatePAIR tab, and wherein the Private PAIR page to which navigation iseffected corresponds to the user-selected Private PAIR tab for thepatent application.
 11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, aftera user attempts to navigate Private PAIR via clicking on a link orbutton on a Private PAIR page displayed via one of the first and secondweb browsers, a step of canceling navigation to prevent the user fromnavigating utilizing such link or button displayed in the web browser.12. A method for providing access over the Internet to Private PAIR to auser of a personal computer, comprising: (a) storing authenticationinformation for accessing Private PAIR on the personal computer,including: (1) displaying to a user, via a computer display screen ofthe personal computer, a graphical user interface element prompting theuser to identify, via one or more peripheral devices, a location of asecurity certificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; (2)displaying to the user, via the computer display screen of the personalcomputer, a graphical user interface element prompting the user toinput, via one or more peripheral devices, a password associated withthe security certificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; (3)receiving, via the graphical user interface elements, user inputrepresenting the location of the security certificate for use in loggingin to Private PAIR and representing the password associated with thesecurity certificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR; (4) storing,in a non-transitory computer readable medium of the personal computer,the user input representing the location of the security certificate foruse in logging in to Private PAIR and representing the passwordassociated with the security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR; and thereafter (b) loading, at the personal computer, afirst web browser and a second web browser, the second web browser beingloaded without being displayed on the computer display screen of thepersonal computer; (c) using the stored authentication information,performing authentication for accessing Private PAIR on the personalcomputer by, effecting navigation to a login page for Private PAIR, andautomatically effecting login to Private PAIR, said automaticallyeffecting login including inputting, via the login page, the location ofthe security certificate and the password associated with the securitycertificate, whereby upon a successful authentication a login session toPrivate PAIR is established; (d) based on a successful authentication insaid step (c), navigating between first and second Private PAIR pagesusing the first web browser in conjunction with the second web browser,which navigation requires navigating to an intermediate Private PAIRpage in order to reach the second Private PAIR page from the firstPrivate PAIR page, alternating between displaying the first web browserand the second web browser such that navigation from the first PrivatePAIR page directly to the second Private PAIR page is simulated from auser's perspective on the computer display screen.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the first web browser comprises a first web browsercontrol; wherein the second web browser comprises a second web browsercontrol different from the first web browser control; and wherein boththe first and second web browser controls are contained within the sameapplication window; and further comprising the steps of loading withoutdisplaying on the computer display screen of the personal computer athird web browser control; downloading data from Private PAIR forgenerating a report using the third web browser control; and displayinga user-selectable control within at least one of the first web browsercontrol and the second web browser control by which the report isviewable.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving userinput representing a navigation request, the user input identifying botha patent application and an indication of a user-selected Private PAIRtab; and navigating to a Private PAIR page corresponding to theuser-selected Private PAIR tab for the identified patent application.15. The method of claim 12, further comprising, after a user attempts tonavigate Private PAIR via clicking on a link or button on a Private PAIRpage displayed via one of the first and second web browsers, a step ofcanceling navigation to prevent the user from navigating utilizing suchlink or button displayed in the web browser.
 16. A method for providingto a user, on a personal computer, access over the Internet to PrivatePAIR, comprising the steps of: (a) loading, at the personal computer, afirst web browser and a second web browser, the second web browser beingloaded without being displayed on a computer display screen of thepersonal computer; (b) performing authentication for accessing PrivatePAIR on the personal computer by using authentication informationcomprising a location of a security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR and a password associated with the security certificate foruse in logging in to Private PAIR including the steps of, (1) effectingnavigation to a login page for Private PAIR; and (2) effecting login toPrivate PAIR; and (c) based on the authentication of said step (b), whennavigating from a displayed first Private PAIR page to a second PrivatePAIR page, (1) displaying the first web browser with the first PrivatePAIR page, but not displaying the second web browser, and subsequently(2) displaying the second web browser with the second Private PAIR page,but not displaying the first web browser, such that, as displayed, theuse of a single web browser by a user is simulated when navigatingbetween the first and second Private PAIR pages.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein navigation between the first Private PAIR page and thesecond Private PAIR page requires navigating to one or more intermediatePrivate PAIR pages, and wherein the navigation to the one or moreintermediate Private PAIR pages is performed using the hidden browsersuch that, as displayed, the simulated single web browser appears tonavigate from the first Private PAIR page to the second Private PAIRpage without navigating to the one or more intermediate Private PAIRpages.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising intercepting anavigation command and canceling navigation if to a predetermined pagehaving restricted access, whereby limited access to Private PAIR isprovided client side on the personal computer.
 19. The method of claim16, wherein the first web browser comprises a first web browser control;wherein the second web browser comprises a second web browser controldifferent from the first web browser control; and wherein both the firstand second web browser controls are contained within the sameapplication window; and further comprising the steps of loading withoutdisplaying on the computer display screen of the personal computer athird web browser control; downloading data from Private PAIR forgenerating a report using the third web browser control; and displayinga user-selectable control within at least one of the first web browsercontrol and the second web browser control by which the report isviewable.
 20. A method for navigating between first and second PrivatePAIR pages on a personal computer of a user running an operating system,which navigation requires navigating from the first Private PAIR page toan intermediate Private PAIR page in order to reach the second PrivatePAIR page, comprising the steps of: (a) loading, at the personalcomputer, a first web browser control and a second web browser control,the second web browser control being loaded without being displayed on acomputer display screen of the personal computer; (b) performingauthentication for accessing Private PAIR on the personal computer byusing authentication information comprising a location of a securitycertificate for use in logging in to Private PAIR and a passwordassociated with the security certificate for use in logging in toPrivate PAIR, including the steps of, (1) effecting navigation to alogin page for Private PAIR; and (2) effecting login to Private PAIR;and (c) thereafter based on the authentication, (1) using the first webbrowser control contained within an application window that is displayedon the personal computer for view by the user, displaying in theapplication window the first web browser control displaying, in turn,the first Private PAIR page; (2) using the second web browser controlthat is also contained within the same application window, but whichsecond web browser control is hidden from view by the user on thepersonal computer, effecting navigation of Private PAIR to theintermediate Private PAIR Page and, subsequent thereto, effectingnavigation of Private PAIR to the second Private PAIR page; and (3)displaying on the personal computer within the application window, forview by the user, the second web browser control in which the secondPrivate PAIR page is displayed while the first web browser control ishidden from view of the user within the application window, whereby, asdisplayed, the use of a single web browser control by a user within theapplication window is simulated on the personal computer when navigatingbetween the first Private PAIR page and the second Private PAIR page.